Mating Brand (Mating Heat Book 3) Read online

  She wouldn’t leave. I’d rather her think I’m a jerk than screw this up by hurting her.

  Charma couldn’t help but feel hurt. She turned around and heard the water come on. He’s going to handle his own needs? She stared at the door as anger hit.

  She tried to twist the door handle but found it locked, preventing her from following him. “Damn it.” Her other palm slapped the wood barrier. “Brand?” She called out his name. “Open the door.”

  “Go eat something,” he called out. “Or rest. I’ll be out soon.”

  “Damn it, Brand. Let me in there. I’m not fragile!”

  He didn’t answer. She turned her head and pressed her ear against the wood, listening. Her keen hearing picked up faint noises over the water. She bit her lip when she heard his breathing increase and a slight slapping sound, guessing what he was doing in there to “handle his own needs”.

  More like fisting his own cock. She didn’t move away until she heard him come.

  Her body responded to his throaty groan, one she remembered too well. Brand had no idea how wrong he was if he thought she’d make it easy for him to keep her at arm’s length. It had been a while since she’d suffered the effects of heat but it wasn’t something anyone forgot. He needed her and she wanted him. It was incredibly sweet that he was so concerned with her safety but it was also frustrating.

  She knew she faced no danger from him, regardless of how horny or aggressive he got during the worst of the heat. He refused to listen to her though.

  A plan formed and it made her smile.

  She’d actually make it impossible for him to resist nature’s call.

  One quick tug and the towel dropped at her feet. She turned to face the bed. I just need to get him on it with me. She glanced at the door, heard the water shut off and moved, climbing onto his mattress before he came out.

  Charma centered her body on his bedspread and stretched out on her back. She moved her hair out of the way by shoving it into a damp pile above her head. Her feet pressed against the bed to angle her hips just enough to ensure what he’d see when he opened that door. She spread her knees wide.

  Her gaze remained on the bathroom door as she inserted a finger into her mouth, wet the tip and let her palm trail down her body. It slid between her breasts, over her stomach to her pussy. She needed to be turned on. He’d always gone insane when he’d picked up her scent when she was in need of sex.

  A mischievous grin curved her lips as she thought back to the past to help her get in the mood.

  She pressed her fingertip against her clit and rubbed small circles. Just thinking about Brand made her nipples hard. She held her breath to suppress the sound of pleasure as her finger ignited her body, making it warm and tingly.

  Memories of the first time she’d gone to bed with Brand drifted through her thoughts. They’d dated for over a month before she’d known the time was right. She’d fallen in love with him and figured he felt the same, since he never pressured her for sex. She’d been terrified her she-cat instincts would react to him being a werewolf…

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  “Let’s go camping.”

  He gaped at her. “What?”

  “You know the woods where we run when you shift? Why don’t we take a tent and sleep out there for a night?”

  He frowned.

  “Don’t tell me you’re grown too soft.”

  The insulted expression on his face had been amusing. “Of course not. I love roughing it.”

  The muscles of her lower belly clenched as an image of Brand tearing her out of her clothes flashed. She bet he would do that. “So let’s camp tonight. We don’t have classes tomorrow. It’s midweek so nobody should be out there.”

  Brand braced his hands on his hips and studied her a bit too closely. “It’s a bad idea.”

  “Why? Do you think it will be too cold?”

  He sighed and let his hands drop to his sides. “I wouldn’t trust myself all night with you.”

  She grinned. “Good. You bring the tent and blankets. I’ll bring the food. We’ll probably need a lantern too. My night vision isn’t as good as yours and I want to see everything in that tent.”

  He moved fast, gripping her hips. “What does that mean?”

  She took a deep breath for courage. “I’ve never done this before but I want you. I know you want me. I think it’s safer for both of us if we don’t go to your place or mine, where we could be overheard. You get growly when we kiss and I start purring. They’ll think we’re into weird fetishes if we’re loud.”

  Brand’s complexion paled. “You’re a virgin?”

  “No. I told you I had a boyfriend for a short time. I meant I’ve never had to be the one to make the first move. I’m talking about sex. As in, I want to have it with you.”

  “Thank god.”

  “Are you happy that I’m suggesting we finally go to bed together or that I’m not a virgin?”

  “Both.” Brand grinned. “I’ve been killing myself being patient because I know I scare you a bit but the idea of being your first terrified me.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s always painful for women and I don’t ever want to hurt you, hon.”

  She knew at that moment that she’d made the right choice. “Camping tonight then.”

  “Yes.”

  “And bring a lantern.” She raked her gaze over his chest. “I don’t want to miss a thing. I’ve tried to imagine you naked but I have a feeling the real thing is going to be better.”

  “I think that’s my line.”

  They gathered everything they needed for their getaway and set off for a romantic tryst in the woods.

  Brand took things leisurely enough to drive her crazy as he stripped her bare and explored every inch he exposed. It turned her on, the way he growled as he brushed kisses over her lower stomach and spread her thighs to get access to her pussy.

  “I plan to eat you alive.”

  She didn’t laugh, was too turned on to do more than pant. “I hurt for you,” she admitted.

  Brand had an amazing mouth, and the things he could do with it made her grateful they were miles away from civilization. She cried out loudly when he made her come twice before easing up her body and penetrating her. The sensation of him filling her was something she’d never forget. Brand took his time to help her adjust to his size. He used slow, shallow thrusts to fit his thick cock snugly inside her body. He stared into her eyes when he was all the way inside and told her how beautiful she was to him.

  “Move,” she pleaded.

  “I don’t ever want to forget this moment,” he whispered.

  “We won’t,” she swore, wrapping her legs higher around his waist and wiggling. “Kiss me.”

  “I’d do anything for you.”

  He kissed her then until she was wild beneath him, bucking her hips and clawing his back. It was nearly torture, having him inside her but not moving. She wanted him to thrust in the worst way.

  “Please,” she rasped.

  He shifted over her, using his arms to brace his weight and cage her under him at the same time. “You’re so damn tight. Am I hurting you?”

  “Only if you don’t move.”

  “There’s no going back, Charma. You’re mine now.”

  In a sudden frenzy, he took her. Only she and Brand existed. Passionate kisses and his body taught her the meaning of being loved until she climaxed a third time. She didn’t even care when he tore his mouth away from hers to grip her neck with his teeth. No fear surfaced as those sharp fangs raked her tender skin. He didn’t bite down but instead muffled a loud groan as he came seconds later.

  He made love to her all night. As dawn broke, he pulled her close and she knew she belonged in his arms forever…

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Charma pushed away the memories when tears filled her eyes. She’d stopped touching herself and some of her passion had cooled. She’d been young back then, and foolish. She’d hoped Garrett would change his mind about forc